HADITH OF THE PROPHET (pbuh):



يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

O you who believe! Be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with justice, and let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; Act Equitably, that is nearer to piety, and be heedful of Allah; surely Allah is Aware of what you do.

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Web Site: Library of Congress ISSN#: 1553-8001

Vol. 31 No. 3

September 2012 Shawwal 1433

|Bulletin of |

|Affiliation |

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|SAMPLES OF JUMU'AH KHUTBA |

March 2011 Issue: The Essence and the Core of Islam

June 2011 Issue: Truthfulness in Islamic Moral System

September 2011 Issue: Ij’tihaad in Islam

December 2011 Issue A Look into the Future of Mankind

March 2012 Issue The Quran and its Influence

June 2012 Issue The Prophet’s treatment of women

September 2012 Status of Women in Islam

December 2012 Issue The Prophet’s Muslim State in Medina

| |

|COMMENTARY ABOUT |

|ONE OF THE 99 SUBLIME ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH |

|One sublime attribute of Allah (swt) appears in this issue of the Affiliation, and will continue to do so until all 99 are fully described. |

| |

|AL-HAFEEDH |

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|Allah is the One who remembers all that was and all that is, keeping in His divine protection all that there will be. |

|Allah is aware of, remembers, and keeps in His memory all that you do, or say, and think at all times. He preserves all; nothing is lost. In His |

|preservation, there is also protection. |

|until your nourishment is finished, and it will certainly come upon you after your last mouthful and breath. |

|Therefore a faithful servant of Allah, who believes that Allah al-Hafeedh, the Creator and the Giver of his nourishment until the day of his |

|death, counts on Allah's promise alone. He opts for the lawful means. He does not endanger his life here or in the Hereafter with evil ambition, |

|treachery, and lying to try to get the sustenance due to others. |

| |

|Abdul Hafeeth is given the awareness of the needs of others and the means to satisfy those needs at the right time in the right amount without |

|delay and with nothing lacking. |

|HADITH OF THE PROPHET (pbuh): |

|(Beware of falsehood; for, if you see deliverance in it, then certainly you are headed toward destruction.|

| |

|(A man asked the Prophet (pbuh), "O Messenger of Allah! Show me what to do to achieve the nearness to |

|Allah, the Most High!" The Holy Prophet answered: "Never tell a lie." |

| |

|Sayings of Imam Al-Askari, the 11th Imam |

|The person who gathers for you his friendship and advice, gather for him your obedience.  |

|And the person who displays little self-respect do not feel secure from his malice.  |

|And the person who glorifies himself, many will be irritated with him.  |

BULLETIN OF AFFILIATION

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Quran Account Inc. Quarterly, Vol. 31, No. 3 September-2012

AFFILIATION NEWS

By Allah's Grace, this issue of the Bulletin will reach a total of 8,817 Muhtadoon (converts to Al-Islam); this is the total number since the project started in February 1985. During the last three months 140 Muhtadoon have enrolled in the project

Because of the cost and the great demands, the organization cannot fill the needs of each and every request, and in some cases suggest that new Muhtadoon seek help from other Islamic organizations.

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OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES

الصحابي سعد بن ابي وقاص

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas

(The following is to share with you the writing of a Muslim Mu'min; may Allah bless the writer, whose name is not published, in compliance with the policy of this publication. This writing has been edited extensively)

In Mecca lies a young man who has not yet seen twenty summers. He is short and well-built and has a heavy crop of hair. He comes from a noble family. He is very attached to his parents and is fond of his mother. He spends much of his time making and repairing bows and arrows and practicing archery as if preparing himself for some future great encounter. People recognize him as a serious and intelligent young man. He finds no satisfaction in the religion of his people, or their corrupt beliefs and practices. His name is Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas.

One morning Abu Bakr approached him and explained: that Muhammad ibn Abdullah the son of his late cousin Aminah bint Wahb had been given Revelations by God, and sent him with the religion of guidance and truth. Abu Bakr then took him to Muhammad in late afternoon. Sa’d was very receptive to the invitation to truth and the religion of One God.

The Prophet saw in him signs of excellence, youthfulness, and promise. Perhaps other young people of Mecca would follow his example, including some of his relations.

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas was a maternal uncle of the Prophet through Aminah, the mother of the Prophet.

While the Prophet was delighted with Sa’d's acceptance of Islam, others, especially his mother were not. Sa’d relates: "When my mother heard the news of my Islam, she flew into a rage, screaming: "Sa’d! What is this religion? It has taken you away from your mother and father and their religion...? By God, either you forget about it or I would not eat or drink until I die. You would be censured forever.' I answered: 'Don't do such a thing mother, for I would not give up my religion for anything.'

However, she carried on with her threat, and for days she neither ate nor drank, becoming emaciated. This in spite of my urging her to eat. And I would say: 'Oh mother! In spite of my love for you, my love for God and His Messenger is much stronger. By God, if you had a thousand souls and one soul after another were to depart, I would not abandon my religion for anything.' When she saw that I was determined she relented unwillingly and ate and drank."

In the early days of Islam, the Muslims were careful not to arouse the sensibilities of the Quraish. They would often go out together in groups to the valleys outside Mecca where they could pray together. But one day a number of idolaters came upon them while they were praying and rudely interrupted them with ridicule. The Muslims felt they could not suffer these indignities passively and they came to blows with the idolaters. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas struck one of the disbelievers with the jawbone of a camel and wounded him. This was the first bloodshed in the conflict between Islam and disbelief- a conflict that was later to escalate and test the patience and courage of the Muslims.

After the incident, however, the Prophet enjoined his companions to be patient and forbearing for this was the command of God: "And bear with patience what they say and avoid them with noble dignity. And leave Me alone to deal with those who give the lie to the Truth, those who enjoy the blessings of life (without any thought of God) and bear with them for a little while." (The Quran, Surah al Muzzammil, 71: 10).

More than a decade a half later when permission was given for the Muslims to fight. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas was to play a distinguished role in many of the engagements that took place both during the time of the Prophet and after. He fought at Badr together with his young brother Umayr who had cried to be allowed to accompany the Muslim army for he was only in his early teens. Sa’d returned to Medina alone for Umayr was one of the fourteen Muslim martyrs who fell in the battle.

At the Battle of Ohod, Sa’d was specially chosen as one of the best archers together with Zayd, the son of Uthman ibn Mazun and others. Sa’d was one of those who fought vigorously in defense of the Prophet after many Muslims had deserted their positions. To urge him on, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Irmi Sa’d...Fidaaka Abi wa Ummi " Shoot, Sa’d ...may my mother and father be your ransom."

Of this occasion, Ali ibn Abi Talib said that he had not yet heard the Prophet (pbuh) promising such a ransom to anyone except Sa’d. Sa’d is also known as the first companion to have shot an arrow in defense of Islam. And the Prophet once prayed for him: "O Lord, direct his shooting and respond to his prayer."

Sa’d was one of the companions of the Prophet who was blessed with great wealth. Just as he was known for his bravery, so he was known for his generosity. During the Farewell Pilgrimage with the Prophet, he fell ill. The Prophet came to visit him and Sa’d said: "O Messenger of God. I have wealth and I only have one daughter to inherit from me. Shall I give two thirds of my wealth as Sadaqah?" "No," replied the Prophet. "Then, (shall I give) a half?." asked Sa’d and the Prophet again said 'no'. "Then, (shall I give) a third?' asked Sa’d. "Yes," said the Prophet. "The third is much. Indeed to leave your heirs well-off' is better than that you should leave them dependent on and to beg from people. If you spend anything seeking to gain thereby the pleasure of God, you will be rewarded for it even if it is a morsel which you place in your wife's mouth."

Sa’d did not remain the father of just one child but was blessed thereafter with many children.

Sa’d is mainly renowned as the commander-in-chief of the Muslim army which Omar dispatched to confront the Persians at Qadisiya. Omar wanted nothing less than an end to Sasani power which for centuries had dominated the region.

To confront the well-equipped Persians was a daunting task. The most powerful force had to be mustered. Omar sent dispatches to Muslim governors throughout the state to mobilize all able-bodied persons who had weapons or mounts, or who had talents of oratory and other skills to place at the service of the battle.

Bands of Mujahideen converged on Medina from many parts of Arabia. When they gathered, Omar consulted the leading Muslims about the appointment of a commander-in-chief over the mighty army. Omar himself thought of leading the army but Imam Ali suggested that the Muslims were in great need of him locally and he should not endanger his life. Sa’d was then chosen as commander and Abdul-Rahman ibn Awf, one of the veterans among the Sahaaba said:

"You have chosen well! Who is there like Sa’d?"

Omar stood before the great army and bade farewell to them. To the commander-in-chief he said:

"O Sa’d! Let not any statement that you are the uncle of the Messenger of God or that you are the companion of the Messenger of God distract you from God. God Almighty does not obliterate evil with evil but he wipes out evil with good.

"O Sa’d! There is no connection between God and anyone except obedience to Him. In the sight of God all people whether nobleman or commoner are the same. Allah is their Lord and they are His servants seeking elevation through Taq’wa and seeking to obtain what is with God through obedience. Consider how the Messenger of God used to act with the Muslims and act accordingly..."

Omar thus made it clear that the army was not to seek conquest for the sake of it and that the expedition was not for seeking personal glory and fame.

The three thousand strong army set off. Among them were ninety nine veterans of Badr, more than three hundred of those who took the Pledge of Ridhwan (Satisfaction) at Hudaibiya and three hundred of those who had participated in the liberation of Mecca with the noble Prophet. There were seven hundred sons of the companions. Thousands of women also went on to battle as auxiliaries and nurses and to urge the men on to battle.

The army camped at Qadisiya near Hira and were joined by reinforcement to a total of 30,000. Against them the Persians had mobilized a force of 100,000 men under the leadership of their most brilliant commander, Rustam.

Omar had instructed Sa’d to send him regular dispatches about the condition and movements of the Muslim forces, and of the deployment of the enemy's forces. Sa’d wrote to Omar about the unprecedented force that the Persians were mobilizing and Omar wrote to him:

"Do not be troubled by what you hear about them nor about the (forces, equipment and methods) they would deploy against you. Seek help with God and put your trust in Him and send men of insight, knowledge and toughness to him (the Chosroes) to invite him to God... And write to me daily."

Sa’d did as Omar instructed and sent delegations of Muslims first to Yazdajird and then to Rustam, inviting them to accept Islam or to pay the Jiziah to guarantee their protection and peaceful existence or to choose war if they so desired.

The Muslim delegations returned to their commander in-chief empty handed. It was clear that war was now inevitable. Sa’d’s eyes filled with tears. He wished that the battle could be delayed a little or indeed that it might have been somewhat earlier. For on this particular day he was seriously ill and could hardly move around. He was suffering from sciatica and he could not even sit upright because of the severe pain.

Sa’d performed Salat al Dhuhr with the army and facing them he shouted the Muslim battle cry "Allaahu Akbar" four times and directed the fighters to attack with these words.

The Muslims displayed valor and skill. But the Persian elephant corps wrought havoc in the ranks of the Muslims. The ferocious battle was only resolved when several renowned Muslim warriors made a rush in the direction of the Persian commander. A storm arose and the canopy of Rustam was blown into the river. As he tried to flee he was detected and slain. Complete confusion reigned among the Persians and they fled in disarray.

Just how ferocious the battle was can be imagined when it is known that some thirty thousand persons on both sides fell in the course of four days' fighting. In one day alone, some two thousand Muslims and about ten

thousand Persians lost their lives.

The Battle of Qadisiya is one of the major decisive battles of world history. It sealed the fate of the Sasani Empire just as the Battle of Yarmuk had sealed the fate of the Byzantine Empire.

Two years after Qadisiya, Sa’d went on to take the Sasani capital. By then he had recovered his health. The taking of Ctesiphon was accomplished after a brilliant crossing of the Tigris river while it was in flood. Sa’d has thus gone down in the annals of history as the Hero of Qadisiya and the Conqueror of Ctesiphon.

He lived until he was almost eighty years old. He was blessed with much influence and wealth but as the time of death approached in the year 54 AH, he asked his son to open a box in which he had kept a coarse woolen jubbah and said: "Shroud me in this, for in this (jubbah) I met the Mushrikeen on the day of Badr and in it I desire to meet God Almighty."

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Status of Women in Islam

The following Khutba was delivered at the Islamic Education Center, Potomac MD by Maulana Akbarian. It may be used as a sample by any would-be Imam for Salat Al-Jumu'ah. Similar Khutbas will follow in the forthcoming Bulletins of Affiliation.

Let us all practice Taq’wa (piety and righteousness), and revere Allah and obey His divine commands. We ask Allah to protect us from evilness and falsehood and help us lay a foundation with moral values according to the rules of our Lord.

The Holy Quran says in Surah 2 (al-Baqarah), Ayah 228:

|َ… وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ… |

|“…and the women have similar rights over men in a just manner...” |

From history we find that in previous ages women were considered as part of man’s wealth and property. In Arabia before Islam a woman could be sold and purchased like any property. As heathens, the idol-worshipper Arabs of the pre-Islamic era considered women as cause of bad luck and misfortune. They even buried infant females and young girls alive. But with the advent of Islam, Islam completely changed all the previous practice, for so deplorable they were. Islam disqualified infanticide as never justified; thereby abolished. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fought against these practices vigorously, often quoting the Holy Quran as in Surah 81 (al-Tak’weer), Ayah 8-9:

|َ وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنْبٍ قُتِلَتْ |

|“…And when the girl buried alive is made to ask: For what crime she had been slain! |

Muhammad (pbuh), the man of mercy, considered women as the precious component of society, as precious as men. He taught that women are entitled to rights and obligations as much as men are. He taught that no body has the right to insult and look down upon women just because they happen to be females.

In marriage a woman is considered to be an equal partner to her husband. The Holy Quran in Surah 30 (al-Room), Ayah 21 describes the woman as a companion of her husband with reciprocal love and a source of peace to him. It says:

|َ وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ |

|“And among His wonders is that He created mates for you, out of your own kind, |

|that you may dwell in harmony with them, |

|and instilled love and tenderness between you. |

|Verily in this are signs for those who reflect.” |

In the West, Western countries take women as a medium of enjoyment or as a sexual object. That is why, when the slogan of woman’s freedom is raised, exploitation of her role in the West took place even by females themselves! The break up of many families, disintegration in the family life, and profound family instability is the aftermath.

On the other hand, by example provided by ladies such as Khadija (a.s.) Fatima (a.s.), Zainab (a.s.) and many more, Islam highlighted the greatness of women. Their role illustrated the meaning of woman’s life and turned it into an example and a specimen for future races. Theirs were the best examples for ethical and moral life that point to nobility, graciousness, and civility.

The Holy Quran clears woman of the responsibility for the fall of Adam completely. The Quran gives woman respectability, honor and dignity. It was up to Islam to give woman the same rights as those of man for the first time in history. The Quran says in Surah 2 (al-Baqarah), Ayah 228:

|َ… وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ… |

|“…and the women have similar rights over men in a just manner...” |

Modern man recognizes there can be no freedom in the real sense without economic rights. Fourteen hundred years ago, Islam gave woman the right to inherit the property and wealth of her father and husband and to acquire, own, and dispose of wealth, as she liked. The Holy Quran says in Surah 4 (al-Nisaa), Ayah 32:

|َ… لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا |

|“…for men shall have what they earn, |

|and women shall have of what they earn…” |

In marriage a woman is considered by Islam to be an equal and free partner. Describing the woman as a companion of her husband, an individual to love, and a source of peace and solace to him, the Holy Quran in Surah 30 (al-Room), Ayah 21 says:

|َ وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ |

|“And among His wonders is that He created mates for you, out of your own kind, |

|that you may dwell in harmony with them, |

|and instilled love and tenderness between you. |

|Verily in this are signs for those who reflect.” |

To impress upon his followers the high position of womanhood, the Prophet (pbuh) declared:

الجنّة تحت أقدام الامّهات.

“Paradise lies at the feet [through the mercy] of the mothers”.

Islam makes no distinction between men and women as far as their moral or spiritual capabilities, or their consequential rewards or punishment for the Hereafter. The Quran says in this regard in Surah 9 (al-Taubah), Ayah 71:

|َ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ|

|عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ | ................
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